WWE betting: Bank on Orton to survive a gruelling match

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: Orton has a great record at this WWE main event. Pic:Getty

By Lee Dover

When it comes to being a WWE fan, the horror of Halloween and the spectacle of Bonfire Night both take a back seat to one event – Survivor Series.

Ever since the event first graced television screens way back in 1987, fans have seen some lively and rather bizarre Survivor Series bouts take place.

Andre The Giant disposing of the likes of Hulk Hogan and Bam Bam Bigelow to emerge as the sole survivor of the first main event elimination match is etched in the memories of WWE fans.

But perhaps what helps make the bouts so enthralling and entertaining is that the matches are not about winning titles. As the clue says in the name of the event, it is all about survival of the fittest inside the squared circle on this night.

Of course, the wrestler that many fans will be looking to see get a dose of his own medicine has to be CM Punk. The long-reigning WWE Champion has become one of the most detested men in the business in recent times.

His sneaky tactics to get a victory at any cost creates memories of when Chris Jericho used to get under the skin of every WWE fan. The fact that Paul Heyman is always fighting Punk’s corner is the cherry on the cake for getting people to boo the once well-loved ‘voice of the voiceless’ out of every building he steps into.

The champ does not have the fondest of memories in the traditional Survivor Series match though. Punk was part of Team Batista when they fell to Team Orton at the 2008 Survivor Series. A year later and Punk was once again ruing defeat, when Team Orton – which the Straight Edge superstar was this time a part of – were unable to wipe out Team Kingston in a high-octane match.

Ironically enough, both Orton and Punk feature in the 2012 Survivor Series main event, with the WWE Champion captaining his team of Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz against Team Foley.

Sure-to-be Hall of Famer Mick Foley will not be getting in the ring for his team, but instead will rely on Orton, Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Kane, Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and the beast known as Ryback.

Orton could well be the hidden gem of this team as, for a long time, he was the go-to man of the traditional Survivor Series match. This was evident by the fact that he was on the winning teams at the 2003, 2004 and 2005 PPVs. In all of these, Orton was also the sole survivor.

As mentioned previously though, anything can and probably will happen in this match. Unpredictability is the spice of life after all, especially where the WWE is concerned.